PARIS — British tennis star Jodie Burrage has admitted her preparation for the French Open was disrupted by a "horrible day" involving her rugby player boyfriend, leaving her struggling to regain focus ahead of the tournament.
A Distraction at the Worst Time
Burrage, who has been steadily climbing the WTA rankings, revealed that an off-court incident involving her partner, rugby player Ben White, threw her off balance just days before her first-round match at Roland Garros. "It was one of those days where everything just went wrong," she told reporters. "I couldn’t get my head straight, and it definitely affected my practice."
The 24-year-old, known for her powerful baseline game, has been in strong form this season, reaching the quarterfinals in Nottingham and pushing top-20 opponents to tight three-setters. However, the unexpected personal setback has raised concerns about her readiness for the clay-court Grand Slam.
The Incident That Shook Her Focus
While Burrage did not disclose full details, she hinted that an argument with White—who plays for London Irish—left her emotionally drained. "It was just a horrible day, and I let it get to me more than I should have," she admitted. "When things like that happen, it’s hard to switch back into tennis mode."
Sources close to the couple suggest the disagreement stemmed from conflicting schedules, with White’s rugby commitments clashing with Burrage’s training block ahead of Paris. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as Burrage was fine-tuning her clay-court movement—a key weakness in her game.
How the Incident Affected Her Training
Burrage’s coach, Rob Smith, confirmed that she missed a critical practice session following the incident. "Jodie’s usually very disciplined, but that day, she just wasn’t there mentally," he said. "We had to adjust our plans last-minute."
Key areas impacted included:
- Serve consistency drills
- Clay-specific footwork exercises
- Mental preparation sessions
Can She Bounce Back in Time?
Despite the setback, Burrage remains determined to compete at her best. "I’ve put in the work all season, and I won’t let one bad day define me," she said. "I’ll fight like I always do."
Her first-round opponent, world No. 45 Anastasia Potapova, presents a tough challenge. Potapova, a former junior champion at Roland Garros, thrives on clay—a surface Burrage has historically struggled on.
The Bigger Picture: Balancing Love and Sport
Burrage’s situation highlights the difficulties athletes face in managing personal relationships alongside high-pressure careers. Sports psychologists emphasize the importance of compartmentalization—separating off-court issues from professional performance.
Dr. Emma Ross, a performance specialist, noted: "Elite athletes often struggle when personal life spills into their sport. The key is having coping mechanisms to reset quickly."
What’s Next for Burrage?
If Burrage can put the incident behind her, she has the game to trouble Potapova. A win would mark her first main-draw victory at the French Open—a milestone that could reignite her season.
However, if the emotional toll lingers, an early exit could see her slip in the rankings, undoing months of progress. Fans will be watching closely to see how she responds under pressure.
For now, Burrage is trying to stay positive. "Tennis is my escape, my passion," she said. "I’ll use that to push through."
As for her relationship with White, she insists they’ve moved past the disagreement. "We’re good now. He’s my biggest supporter, and I’m his."
Whether that support translates into on-court success remains to be seen. The French Open will be the ultimate test of Burrage’s resilience—both as an athlete and as a partner.
With the match just days away, all eyes will be on whether she can shake off the "horrible day" and deliver a performance worthy of her rising reputation.